The Birth of Venus || Various!TwistedWonderland X Siren!Reader

✧27. Duel. ✧

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"Ugh..." You groaned and rubbed your eyes as you sat up. "Why won't anyone stop the queen?" Yuu mumbled. You glanced over at him, confused. "The who?" His tired eyes shot open and he looked over at you, surprised that you were awake. He sighed. "I've been having these weird dreams. They almost seem prophetic." You waited for the boy to go on. "The dreams are about the Queen of Hearts. It feels like I'm seeing the past in these dreams or something. They feel incredibly real." You nodded in understanding. "I get what you mean. I've also been having really realistic dreams. Dreams about my past and whatnot."

"I see..." Yuu mumbled. "Maybe it's a paranormal thing." He half-joked. You let out a quiet chuckle and got up to get ready for the day. "Yeah, maybe." You smiled tiredly as you walked off. You did your usual morning routine, brushing your teeth, doing your hair, etc. You walked back downstairs, immediately catching unnecessary sass. "Ugh, finally! You take forever to get ready." Grim crossed his arms. You were going to respond but was interrupted by Ace's excited voice. "Today's the big duel! Let's DO this thing."

As you walked to Heartslabyul Dorm, you got the strange feeling that this wasn't going to work and you were going to say so, but the Adeuce duo (+Grim) seemed so excited. You'd feel bad doubting them. Maybe they'll get through it with the ✧.* Power of Friendship! ✧.* or something. The other boys were talking while you zoned out, just kind of looking at your surroundings. You stepped through the mirror into Heartslabyul Dorm, being met with bright skies, opulent rose bushes, and the whispers of students. 

"Did you hear? They say someone's challenged Housewarden Rosehearts to a duel!" You heard a student whisper as you walked into the rose maze. The duel was to happen in a clearing in the rose maze. "Riddle Rosehearts? Seriously?! Whoever it is has gotta be outta his mind. Riddle will have his head off in five seconds flat." Another student whispered. "Still, it's the first challenge since Rosehearts took power. I'm pumped!" A student responded. At least that guy was positive. You looked over to your Vice Housewarden. He looked (and smelled) nervous, fidgeting with his clothes and hands. If you strained your ears, you could hear the faint noise of his heart drumming rapidly in his chest. It's so much easier to hear this stuff when you're in the water. 

Your group approached The Rose Red Tyrant, Cater and Trey stood loyally by his side, and Crowley there to facilitate. An audience of seemingly every Heartslabyul student had formed, students staring as you all approached the red sovereign himself. "You're saying Ace and Deuce are challenging Riddle for the housewarden's seat?!" Cater looked at Trey, shocked. "Please tell me you're kidding." Trey shook his head. "I tried to stop 'em." Cater fidgeted with a strand of his citrus-colored hair. "Of all the stupid ideas... I just hope this doesn't make everything worse." Trey sighed. "You and me both."

You, Grim, and Yuu stayed back near the crowd as Ace and Deuce stepped forward. "We are about to commence two challenges for the housewarden position at Heartslabyul House. The first challenger is Ace Trappola. The second challenger is Deuce Spade." Crowley announced, motioning to the two freshmen. "The current housewarden they have challenged is Riddle Rosehearts. Now, in accordance with the duel rules, please remove the magic-sealing collars as they would provide an unfair disadvantage." The headmage ordered, turning to Riddle. 

Something feels wrong. You have this gut feeling that something won't go well. Every passing moment felt like the ticking clock of a time bomb, but you couldn't place why you felt that way. You looked over to Yuu, who was fidgeting more than before. You picked up the faint sound of his heart rate increasing. You feel like he shared your sentiment. The collars around Ace and Deuce's necks disappeared, yours and Grim's stayed. "Ah! FINALLY, the dumb collar is off!" Ace rubbed his neck with relief. "Enjoy your moment of freedom. The collar will be back on soon enough." The short redhead reminded. "I could hardly believe it when I heard you two intended to duel me. Is this a joke?" He furrowed his eyebrows lightly before placing a hand on his hip. Ace furrowed his eyebrows and crossed his arms. "Do I look like I'm joking?" Deuce frowned as he crossed his arms as well. They were both always so similar. 

"Hmph. Have it your way. Let us get this over with." Riddle huffed as he took out his pen. "Uh, Riddle, what do you want to do about today's afternoon tea?" Cater spoke hesitantly. "A foolish question. You know that the rules stipulate I take my tea every day at 4 p.m. sharp." Riddle informed the ginger. "It's just that it's already past 3:30..." Cater flipped his phone to Riddle, showing him his phone's clock. "And you fear that I will be late? All the more reason to end this promptly. It appears I have little time to waste. Rather than facing my opponents in succession, I will take on both at once." Riddle confidently announced. Really? Maybe those two have a better chance then. A couple of Heartslabyul students cheered on Riddle.

"Cowards." Deuce muttered to the crowd. You looked around for a moment before swallowing that terrible feeling in your gut. "You've got this guys!" You yelled out to the Adeuce duo. Yuu looked at you for a second before giving you a nervous smile. "Yeah! Down with the Rose Red Tyrant!" He called out. Grim let out a loud "Yeah! What he said!" Along side your cheers. You looked at Riddle, whose face was turning slightly red with anger. Your groups cheers only served to embolden the two. You picked Grim up. "Myah. I got a bad feelin' about this." He mumbled as he climbed his way to rest on your shoulder. 

"Hey, at least we got a plan!" Ace smiled at Deuce who nodded in return. "Headmage, please give us the signal." Riddle looked over to the Headmage. "When the mirror I've thrown shatters upon the ground, that is your signal to begin. Ready..." He held up the small mirror. "Go!" he called out as he threw the mirror down, shattering it instantly. The fight was quick. Ace and Deuce didn't have any time to cast anything as Riddle quickly cast his signature spell. "Off With Your Heads!" He yelled as the collars locked around the two boys' necks. 

Ace grabbed onto his collar. "Urrrgh... Not again. I didn't even have time to finish my spell!" Ace stressed. "He shut us down like it was nothing..." Deuce mumbled in shock. Yuu looked on in shock. "That was fast!" You crossed your arms. I mean, you figured it would be a fast fight considering Riddle's magical expertise, but you didn't think it would be THAT fast! Barely anything happened! "Visualization is key to spell casting." Crowley explained. "The better you are at accurately visualizing your magic's effects, the stronger and more precise it will be. It would appear Mr. Rosehearts has finely honed his magic." He praised.

"Myah... They didn't stand a chance." Grim said with dismay. "Hmph. You didn't even last five seconds." Riddle said in a snooty tone of voice. "That was all you had, and still you thought to challenge me? You must be utterly humiliated. I guess my mother was right. A man who cannot follow rules is a man who cannot achieve anything." The redhead chastised, adding a layer of weird mama's boy bullshit. "Tch... We agree that rules should be followed. But forcing others to follow nonsensical rules like the ones you've enacted is tyranny!" Deuce objected angrily. Preach! "Then you agree that breaking rules is wrong. And in this dorm, I AM the rules. Therefore, those who cannot abide by my decisions deserve not the heads they use to complain!" Riddle angrily commanded, gesturing to himself.

"You can't just use rules to do whatever you please!" Yuu frowned, only to be faced with Riddle's ire. "If there were no penalties, no one would follow the rules." He explained. "I have to wonder what sort of pitiful education left you unable to comprehend so simple a concept." Smugness painted Riddles face. Wait, is he attacking Yuu? You crossed your arms and frowned. "Clearly, you were born to parents with no great magical capability. And as a result... You lack even the basic education necessary to attend a school such as this. It's quite sad." Riddle continued to chastise Yuu. You've only known Yuu for a couple of days, but he's a kind person. He doesn't deserve this blatant fuckery from this little red cunt. 

You were about to step in, perhaps to insult Riddle back, but you were pulled back by Yuu. He mouthed a silent "Don't" as he looked at you pleadingly. You huffed and went back to your place next to Yuu. "You little..." Deuce began but before he could say anything he was interrupted by Ace. "You shut your spoiled little mouth!" He shouted before reeling his arm back and striking Riddle in the face.

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A/N: Guys sorry that I update so slow I am simply just a girl...

Would we perchance be interested in seeing a headcannons chapter? I have a lot of thoughts in my autistic brain about Y/N that I must get out. 

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